Elements of Happiness Sermon Series Study Guide

A Study Guide for the

Welcome from Pastor Jenn I had a difficult time in chemistry during high school. It started in the very beginning when we had to memorize all of the elements, and then when we began to put elements together. When it came to my lab space, you never knew just what was going to happen. However, I have learned as I have grown spiritually and emotionally, that there are elements in life which work well together and some which do not.

For instance, you turn on the nightly news or open your favorite new app and the first fifteen stories of the night usually contain the following words: war, murder, kidnap, attack, suspect, and victim. Stories of tragedy, sadness and constant struggle – these are elements which lead us into having a view of the world which is primarily negative.

We begin to live with a cloud over our heads, waiting for the proverbial other shoe to drop. However, the elements of faith, hope, joy and gratitude added together as disciplines not only change our emotional outlook, but actually have been proven to rewire our brains to see the world in a positive light and literally make us happy.

Classical theologians, from Augustine to Thomas Aquinas to John Wesley, believed happiness was a part of Christian life. They made no distinction between the words “joy” and “happiness.” Happiness as a concept has since been removed from Christian life, now being appropriated by the world for “happy hours” and as a prescription for surface, self-serving emotions. However, John Wesley believed we were made to be happy in God and that the love of God and the power of salvation which makes us whole is the way of happiness.

It is our happiness in God that allows us to live rejoicing and giving thanks in all circumstances. In fact, he wrote in his first tract, The Character of a Methodist, the following words.

“A Methodist is one who loves the Lord his God with all his heart, with all his soul, with all his mind, and with all his strength. God is the joy of his heart, and the desire of his soul, which is continually crying, ‘Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is none upon earth whom I desire besides thee.’ My God and my all! ‘Thou art the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.’ He is therefore happy in God; yea, always happy, as having in him a well of water springing up unto everlasting life, and over-flowing his soul with peace and joy. (Sermon 77, Spiritual Worship) Paul wrote a true letter of love and joy to his dear church in Philippi. Within this letter Paul speaks again and again about the call to rejoice, give thanks, and live in the happiness of God. He wrote from prison where he was awaiting sentencing and still his passion and his witness could not be silenced. Again and again, the letter to the Philippians calls for hope and assurance in being resurrected with Christ, assuring the believer that in all circumstances they too can rejoice in all things. He calls for his congregation to behave in ways which imitate Christ, allowing the behavior of the church to be rooted in the salvation act of the cross and resurrection. So sure was Paul of the power of our resurrection with Christ, he staked all he was and all he had in order to finish his race of faith and call others to live in the same surety.

During the “Elements of Happiness” series, we will dive into Philippians, John Wesley’s works, as well as research in positive psychology from Harvard. Each week there will be an action to begin to center ourselves in the spiritual disciplines of practicing joy, gratitude and kindness. Each element of happiness we encounter will give us a chance to literally retrain our brain and rewire our hearts to consider looking at the world through eyes of joy and hope. Whether you are using this study individually, as a family, or in a group, we hope you will find a journal and begin to make each of these action steps into habits of your heart. Let’s see if we as a church can do a little chemistry experiment of our own, mixing these elements of happiness and see the power it unleashes.

Grace, Peace, and Happiness,

Jenn.

ELEMENTS OF HAPPINESS Classical theology, from Augustine, to Thomas Aquinas to John Wesley, believed happiness was a part of Christian life. They made no distinction between the words “joy” and “happiness.”

Happiness as a concept has since been removed from Christian life, now being appropriated by the world for “happy hours” and as a prescription for surface, self-serving emotions. However, John Wesley believed we were made to be happy in God and that the love of God and the power of salvation which makes us whole is the way of happiness. It is our happiness in God that allows us to live rejoicing and giving thanks in all circumstances. Paul wrote a true letter, a letter of love and joy to his dear church in Philippi. Within this letter Paul speaks again and again about the call to rejoice, give thanks, and live in the happiness of God. What are the elements of happiness we can dig into to change our outlook on life, to live with Christ’s view of the world versus the world’s negative view?

TABLE OF CONTENTS Study Background .............................................................................................................................................................. 4 Session One ........................................................................................................................................................................... 5 Defining Happiness Philippians 1:1-11 Session Two ........................................................................................................................................................................... 9 The Element of Choice Philippians 1:12-26 Session Three .......................................................................................................................................................................13 The Element of Perseverance Philippians 1:27-30 Session Four ......................................................................................................................................................................... 17 The Element of Humility Philippians 2:1-11 Session Five .......................................................................................................................................................................... 21 The Element of Habits Philippians 2:12-18 Session Six ...........................................................................................................................................................................24 The Element of Passion Philippians 3:12-21 Session Seven ..................................................................................................................................................................... 27 The Element of Gratitude Philippians 4:1-9 Session Eight ...................................................................................................................................................................... 30 The Element of Generosity Philippians 4:10-14

PHILIPPIANS BACKGROUND: The letter Paul writes is overall, in tone, a letter of joy, being positive in faith even while facing capital charges and being held in prison. Paul writes from prison, most likely in Rome, and the letter was written around the 60’s. The Community at Philippi was founded around 50 CD (1, pg.469).

Philippi was a small city of about 10,000 people situated on the “Via Egnatia,” which ran from east to west – taking people to Italy. Grain and wine were produced in this predominantly agricultural Roman Colony. Citizens of the colony are citizens of Rome – open to all the Roman privileges.

Predominantly inhabited by Greeks when Paul and Silas head to town; Jewish presence was minimal in the city.

“Broad overview of geography relevant to paul of tarsus” by User:Alecmconroy - Created on en:wikipedia by User:Alecmconroy and ready for transfer to Commons. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Broad_overview_of_ geography_relevant_to_paul_of_tarsus.png#/media/File:Broad_overview_ of_geography_relevant_to_paul_of_tarsus.png

Purpose of The Letter of Paul to the Philippians: 1: Assure the people of his situation 2: Commend Epaphroditus who is returning to Philippi so that the congregation is not upset that he left Paul.

3: Express thanks for their gift to him (Paul) but also their generosity in general.

Additional Notes: The book of Philippians also contains encouragement for the Philippians as they go through persecution of the congregation.

Lastly Philippians includes warnings against four groups of opponents: 1) Those opposed to Paul.

2) Those against the Philippians and persecuting them (pagan outsiders).

3) Judaizers whether Jewish or Gentile 4) Those living against the Gospel 4

JOHN WESLEY BACKGROUND John Wesley was the founder of the Methodist movement that began in the Church of England in the 18th Century. Author Alan K. Waltz writes this about Wesley in his book, A Dictionary for United Methodists, John Wesley (1703-1791) was born at Epworth, England, the son of a Church of England clergyman. He graduated from Christ College, Oxford, England.

For a brief period he was a missionary to Georgia. In 1738 he had an intense religious experience at a meeting on Aldersgate Street, London. Following this he began to preach throughout the country. He was a prolific preacher and writer, and his writings provided a core of standard doctrine and interpretation to guide the new Methodist movement.

In 1784, he sent instructions to America for the formation of a separate Methodist church for the United States.

John Wesley’s emphasis on God, grace, and personal and social holiness are the hallmarks of Methodism that have helped grow the Methodist Church to be the second largest protestant denomination in the US.

SHAWN ACHOR BACKGROUND During the Elements of Happiness sermon series we will utilize concepts from author, researcher, and Harvard Divinity School graduate, Shawn Achor, a leading expert on the connection between happiness and success. Achor’s TED talk is one of the most popular of all time with over 9 million views, his lecture airing on PBS has been seen by millions, and his research on happiness made the cover of Harvard Business Review. His Happiness Advantage training is the largest and most successful positive psychology corporate training program to date in the world. Shawn is the author of New York Times best-selling books The Happiness Advantage (2010) and Before Happiness (2013), as well as Ripple’s Effect and The Orange Frog.

(Biography courtesy of http://goodthinkinc. com/)

SESSION 1

“Defining Happiness” Philippians 1:1-11

September 6 – 12

WORSHIP: Opening Prayer: God of all of us. God who is with us in all our happiness and sorrow, as we begin this community of new friends, of discussion and spiritual growth, may we have courage to share and listen, to be vulnerable and bold, that in our time together we might all grow in faith, community and love. Amen.

CONNECT: Welcome and Introduction from Grow Group Facilitator Opening Activity: If you are in a small group share your name, connection with St. Luke’s, and hopes for the group.

Over the next eight weeks as we expand our understanding of happiness let’s take a moment each week to share and laugh along the spiritual path. After you connect with God in prayer, groups are invited to participate in an interactive activity.

GROW: Watch Video: Introduction to “Elements of Happiness” with Pastor Jenn. (If you are studying this series individually, you can view all Elements of Happiness resources at st.lukes.org/happiness.)

Activity: Making Covenant, Being Community Paul established a community of believers in Jesus Christ in Philippi. A community established in love and trust. Now we are establishing a community, as we come together to listen, share, read and pray. To help us do that, we will develop a covenant based on our responses to the questions below regarding our combined expectations of the group and ourselves.

How do you want to be treated in this group? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ How will you treat others in this group? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ Covenantal Prayer: Gracious and Holy God. Throughout scriptures you make covenant with us your people. When we fail to keep covenant with You, Your love and presence remains steadfast and true. May this covenant that we have made with each other and before you draw us closer to each other and you. Give us strength through the power of your Holy Spirit to keep this covenant with our sisters and brothers. Amen.

Watch Video: Introduction to Session 1 with Pastor Jenn Read Together: Philippians 1:1-11

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Scripture Discussion: What do you hear in these 11 verses? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ What would you say is the overall tone? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ What would you say is Paul’s point or desired outcome so far in this letter? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ Tradition Discussion: What was happiness to you when you were a child? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ How do you understand happiness today? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ How has your understanding of happiness changed over the years? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ In Five Marks of a Methodist, Dr. Steve Harper says that “John Wesley sought to further define joy and in doing so he begins with happiness. For Wesley a disciple is ‘happy in God’…Wesley understood happiness in terms of the Greek concept of eudaemonism…Eudaemonism is far from being a fleeting or superficial emotion that only occurs when we are getting our way, classical happiness is a deeply ethical word that means the harvest of a life given over to righteousness.

The bond of being loved by God and loving God in return that produces a quality of life that can only be found in a relationship with God. But when it is, happiness is the life of virtue and goodness that emerges.” (2, page 17) How does this understanding (eudaemonism) affect and shape your concept of happiness? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________

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How can this (eudaemonism) help shape your understanding of happiness? ________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________

Reason/Experience Discussion: What is happiness? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ How do you experience happiness? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ Shawn Achor writes “There is not single meaning: happiness is relative to the person experiencing it. This is why scientists often refer to it as “subjective well-being” - because it’s based on how we each feel about our own lives. In essence, the best judge of how happy you are is you.” (3, page 40) How then do we judge our happiness? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ Positive psychology has inverted traditional psychology on it’s head. For decades, psychology tackled what was negative in our lives, rooting out how to become more successful = in relationships, in our relationship to self, others, work place, purpose, even our past, present and future. Traditional work was on fixing the problem, finding the solutions, and working hard to be successful would lead us toward happiness.

How then does one account for those who find themselves in despair, facing disease or financial struggles, poverty and oppression, but still retain a spirit of joy and gratitude? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ How does one read the book of Philippians written by a man in prison, facing capital charges, but leading a people to rejoice in God in all circumstances? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ In the 90’s, Harvard scientists began to research the brain and found the opposite of traditional psychology to be true. When people focus on retraining their brains to be more positive, and to focus on happiness and joy, they were more successful in their lives. “In bringing together the results of over 200 scientific studies on nearly 275,000 people – happiness leads to success in nearly every domain of our lives, including marriage, health, friendship, community involvements, creativity and…jobs, careers and businesses.” (3, pg 42) Scientists and those in the Positive Psychology field have actually developed measurements to measure a person’s happiness. So how then do they define it: “Essentially, as the experience of positive emotions – pleasure combined with deeper feelings of meaning and purpose… Martin Seligman, has it broken down into three, measurable components: pleasure, engagement and meaning.” Or as Aristotle called it – human flourishing. (3, pg 47) 7

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS: Paul writes in his opening statements to the Philippians a recognition of the power of their community. He greets them as the saints they are - people seeking to live into the transformation of the gospel, which has brought them together to live into the purpose of the good news. Our lives are to work together in a fellowship that allows others to see the love of God through our generosity, through our servanthood, through the way we live and share with one another. Paul writes that he takes great happiness in this community of believers. He writes that even though he faces imprisonment for the way his faith has been lived out; he can still find joy and happiness in knowing the power and the heart of this community, because they are flourishing as people of God. Paul begins his letter with an opening prayer of thanksgiving and encouragement, showing them that his joy is not lost and praying their joy has not been lost because of their own persecution, or struggle. Paul reminds the church where happiness and joy can truly be found – in the One who started the good work within them and will complete that good work of grace and love no matter what may come. The definition of what makes us happy and joyful is rooted in the work of Jesus Christ within us, redeeming us, saving us, offering us the pleasure of God’s love and setting before us how we engage with the world and find meaning in something greater than this world.

LIFE APPLICATION & ACTION: Define happiness for yourself. What makes you happy, truly, deeply joyful in your life? How is it connected to the love of God in Christ? Write a definition for happiness and share it with someone else. Does happiness always look the same for everyone? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ SERVE: Over the course of this study we will be focusing on specific actions we each can do to contribute to our overall sense of well-being and happiness. One of those elements is humility and understanding our need for one another. You will get more details in Session 4. In addition to the simple individual acts suggested throughout this study, we strongly encourage each small group to do one act of service together to strengthen this understanding of humility and community. We have provided a list at the end of this book of possible service projects appropriate for groups. Before next week, please look over the list to see which one interests you. Be ready for discussion in the group. If you are going through this study on your own and would like to do a service project go to www.st.lukes.org/serve for ideas.

CLOSING PRAYER: Gracious and Holy God thank you for this time and this group. May we all grow together in faithfulness and happiness. As we go from this place may we know your loving presence. Amen.

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Session 2

The Element of Choice Philippians 1:12-26

September 13 - 19

WORSHIP: Opening Prayer: Dearest God, we thank you for bringing us together and allowing us the opportunity to gather in your name. Lord, we know so often we allow the things of our daily life to draw us away from you and away from happiness centered in you. So often, we see the beauty of your work and we continue to choose to focus on the negative. Help us to center ourselves in your love and grace and to daily choose to live in the joy of Jesus Christ always. In your blessed name we pray, Amen.

CONNECT: Welcome and Check-in: We need air to breathe and speak words. Just as much as we need these two components we also have to use our brains to form thoughts. In these scripture verses Paul is reminding us that even the thoughts we don’t speak can be harmful to us when they are negative. When we are faced with adversity it is easy to think in the negative. Paul encourages us to be grounded in the joy of Christ, for only with Christ can we find our true happiness. In today’s interactive group activity, think positive thoughts knowing that Christ will be our joy.

Activity: Line 15 plastic cups on the edge of a table. The object of this game is to blow the 15 plastic cups off the edge of the table using the air from an inflated balloon in one minute.

Continue blowing up the balloon and squeezing the air out to send the cups flying until all of the cups have fallen. Gather your friends, family, or group members to cheer you on as you attempt to complete this challenge in under 60 seconds.

GROW: Watch Video: Introduction to Session 2 with Pastor Corey Read Together: Philippians 1:12-26 Scripture Discussion: Where is Paul while he writes this letter? ______________________________________________ What do you hear happening in these verses? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ What would you say is the overall tone? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ What would you say is Paul’s temperament? ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 9 ___________________________________________________________________________

Tradition Discussion: What choices do you have in your life? Is happiness one of those choices? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ How can you be intentional about joy and happiness? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ The Methodist tradition stands in the Christian tradition and the theological concept of free will. This concept is that God has created humanity with the freedom to make choices on our own. It is the power of acting without the constraint of necessity or fate; the ability to act at one’s own discretion. Choice is an important aspect of this concept.

How do you understand free will? __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________

Explore the “Connect with God” class to learn more about free will.

Visit st.lukes.org/ projectconnect for details!

What do you think about the choices you have in life and faith? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ Reason/Experience Discussion: Over the last twenty years, research has shown that happiness has an evolutionary purpose on the brain. Pastor Corey introduces Barbara Fredrickens’ “Broaden and Build Theory” which shows that positive emotions broaden the number of possibilities we can process, making us more thoughtful, creative, and open to new ideas. Positive emotions and joy give people a broader use of the cognitive portions of their brain and enable people to build more intellectual, social, and physical resources. It’s a biological process that “releases chemicals that not only make us feel good, but dial up learning centers of our brains on higher levels. They help us organize new information, keep that information in the brain longer, and retrieve it faster later on.” (3, pg 45.)

Priming the brain with joyful or happy ideas can produce positive emotions. This action has proven to improve standardized test scores and negotiation skills, and has even allowed medical students to more accurately diagnose patients.

How does this theory of “Broaden and Build” affect your understanding of choice and happiness? How does it connect with God’s gift of free will? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ 10

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS: Pastor Corey shared how happiness can be cultivated, in large shifts, but also in small ways which infuse it into our lives every day. While popular culture gives different ways to accomplish cultivating happiness there are ways specific to our spiritual lives found in the book of Philippians. Each of the elements come with work to be done, work that when practiced for more than 21 days in a row, literally changes habits and brain receptors to refocus emotions toward positivity, or what John Wesley would have said would discipline us in personal holiness and social holiness.

This disciplined work of the Spirit begins with one word: choice. The definition of choice is having the power to choose between options. The ultimate question facing each person is whether we have the power to choose to cultivate happiness, joy, positivity, and gratitude?

When facing issues of health, or finances, or pain and suffering, can you choose to find God’s joy in the midst of struggle through disciplines of the Spirit.

This isn’t fake, superficial happiness that is based on everything being right in the world, but true happiness that comes from some place deeper in our lives. Jim Collins writes in Good to Great that “we are not imprisoned by our circumstances, our setbacks, our history, our mistakes or even staggering defeats along the way. We are freed by our choices.” (4, pg 103) LIFE APPLICATION & ACTION: Paul was writing to the Philippians not only to give them a report on his imprisonment but also to offer encouragement in their present circumstances. This congregation of followers was being persecuted and discouraged from a number of directions. Antagonizers of Paul, Judaizers, and Pagans, as well as the imprisonment of their leader (for preaching the gospel) began to discourage the followers and make them wonder if a life of faith and witness was worth it.

Paul’s words share how his imprisonment is advancing the good news. His testimony and witness has begun to reflect on the guards and the others in prison. Nothing can imprison or hold back the good news of love and salvation, and this brings Paul joy and happiness. He writes in verses 16-18 about those who seek to antagonize him and preach against him with rivalry and competition. Even these do not weigh on Paul. He finds joy in the fact that regardless of how it is happening, the gospel is still being preached. Because of this he is able to rejoice in the Lord.

Struggling with our own rivals, competition and challenges can bring us down, and we often find ourselves feeling overwhelmed. We concentrate on the negativity of always having to fight or battle other people’s feelings about whether we are good enough or our business is strong enough. Paul chooses to look at these struggles through a positive light. Struggle, imprisonment, competition, all of it pushes Paul to live more fully into his witness, to truly live what he believes.

His adverse circumstances make his faith stronger, his witness more courageous, and his testimony bold.

In verses 18-26 Paul again chooses to rejoice in his impending sentence. He believes whatever the outcome of the authorities, he will withstand and be delivered. Paul belongs to Christ no matter what he faces. Living, dying, all is counted as gain, because no matter what, Paul will be delivered by God. He chooses to believe in the power of Christ to always win, even in death. The choice of happiness and joy lies at the heart of where our hope is found.

If our hope is in things of this world, happiness and joy are fleeting emotions. But when we choose to hope in our salvation, to believe God is with us no matter what we face, each struggle leads to a new opportunity to experience love and grace, victory and faithfulness of God. We rejoice not in our circumstances, but in the eternal foundation of the glory and power of God. 11

What struggles are you facing that are keeping you down? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ What is one thing, one area, one struggle where you can choose to claim Christ’s hope and see opportunity rather than demise? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ What choice can you make about ONE thing to reframe it from a negative into a positive? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ SERVE: Take a few minutes to discuss which of the suggested service projects interest your group.

Determine if one or two people are willing to be the liaison for scheduling the group service project so they can do some information gathering before next week.

CLOSING PRAYER: God, thank you for always offering your grace and love. Thank you for the freedom you have given us to choose to be in your grace and love or not. Thank you for the power you have given us through the Holy Spirit to choose happiness in You. Amen.

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Session 3

“The Element of Perseverance” Philippians 1:27-30

September 20 – 26

WORSHIP: Opening Prayer: Lord, the world is hard and sometimes we have the urge to just throw up our hands when faced with money problems, relationship problems, and problems that just don’t seem to have an answer. We are so quick to move to things we can fix and solve, while leaving behind those that seem difficult. You never leave us and you never give up on us. Help us to persevere Lord, especiallly when it feels impossible, so that we can achieve your will. In Christ’s holy name we pray, Amen.

CONNECT: Welcome and Check-in: Paul yearns to hear of the church in Phillipi “standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.” The word translated “stand firm” means to hold your ground regardless of the danger or the opposition. Figuratively, it means to hold fast to a belief, a conviction, or a principle without compromise, regardless of personal cost.

In order to accomplish this task it will take great perseverance; you may get frustrated, you may think it is impossible to achieve, but if we stand firm in the conviction that all things are possible than you too will accomplish great things together.

Activity: Have one person in your group volunteer to accomplish the task of balancing three golf balls directly on top of each other. You want them to look like a snowman. You will have only one minute to accomplish this task. Continue to have each member of your group try this task until you complete it.

GROW: Watch Video: Introduction to Session 3 with Pastor Jad. Read Together: Philippians 1:27-30 Scripture Discussion: What do you hear happening in these verses? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ What does it mean to you to live in a manner that is worthy of Christ’s good news (gospel)? ________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ What would you say is the theme of these verses? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________

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Paul writes about his longing to be able to come to visit his supporters in Philippi, a statement that would have brought joy to the congregation. However, such a visit is no guarantee. His desire to be with them is strong, but he knows he may be facing death. His primary concern is that no matter what, whether he comes or not, these people stand for who they are. He wants this congregation to be able to be faithful whether he is with them or not. Fred Craddock writes “for their own health and maturity, they must stand, not lean…The Christian life is not a game of hide and seek with the minister. Paul’s presence or absence is not the determining factor in their living out the gospel of Jesus Christ.” (3, pg 32) Persevering in confidence and hope shows the world what we are made of and in whom our strength is found. Perseverance is about not letting our circumstances or the words and actions of others drag down our attitude. How we act in difficult situations not only affects how others see us, but also strengthens our hope and builds our courage.

Share a time in your life when it was difficult to persevere. ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ What was the outcome? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ Paul calls for the congregation to “live out one’s citizenship” in Christ as they face all the other relationships they are called to cultivate. This is what it means to live into a life of Christ and Christian community, to stand firm in their actions, behaviors, and decisions.

Often we are asked to polarize ourselves into “citizenship” of politics, race, economic status, or even trivial things like rival sports teams. We identify ourselves with these certain “communities” and when tensions rise, our behavior can turn negative toward “the other,” whoever or whatever “the other” may be. Attitudes not only turn negative but downright ugly, as we seek to defend our positions based on our affinities, or what lines up with our views of the world. This negativity toward one another and within our hearts affects not only how we get along in community, but also our own sense of hope.

Paul knew the church of Philippi was becoming not only discouraged because of his imprisonment, but was also facing a struggle with those who were fighting against them. He was afraid they may not only begin to loose heart, but to become heartless. Paul admonishes them with “this one thing:” Remember your citizenship in Christ Jesus and allow your behavior to reflect such a life.

How can our behavior and holding strong to our identity, change our outlook in the face of negativity? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________

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Tradition Discussion: John Wesley in his sermon entitled “Spiritual Worship” writes “when we dwell in Christ, and Christ in us, we are one with Christ, and Christ with us; then we are completely happy; then we live ‘all the life that is hid with Christ in God;’ then, and not till then, we properly experience what that word meaneth, ‘God is love; and whosoever dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him.’”

What do you think it means to dwell in Christ? How does this connect with what Paul was teaching about our citizenship in Christ? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ What do you think is the relationship between God’s love and Happiness? How does this dwelling help our perseverance? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ Reason/Experience Discussion: In this week’s video, Pastor Jad mentioned Harvard Medical School’s Department of Psychiatry “Tetris Study” that asked 27 people to play the video game Tetris for multiple hours a day, three days in a row. After days of playing the highly addictive game, students found that they could not stop seeing the shapes and colors everywhere they looked; in their dreams, in the landscape, even in cereal boxes on shelves. What had actually happened in this study, now known as “The Tetris Effect,” was that the images had become “cognitive afterimages” which changed the way they saw things around them. Playing the game for hours on end rewired their brains and created new neural pathways, and new connections in which they viewed real life situations.

When we focus on differences, or negativity again and again, we literally train our brain to see the world around us in negative ways. Our brains can be wired through years of practices to spot differences, stresses, situations where someone is “out to get me” or “nothing ever works for me.” However, research has shown when we intentionally focus on the positive and act accordingly “we profit from three of the most important tools available to us: happiness, gratitude, and optimism.” (3, 92) Where are there opportunities in your life for you to turn the focus from the negative to the positive? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ How does focusing on the positive improve our dwelling with Christ? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ Paul called for the church to live into this identity, whether he was with them or not; conducting their behavior and living in a manner worthy of the gospel. This meant that regardless of the circumstances and the negative forces dividing them, their lives were fixed on complete happiness. The cross, the resurrection, and the love of God incarnate in Christ were their 15 “Tetris Effect.”

How can you develop a “Tetris Effect” like the early Christians? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ How would it change our community? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ LIFE APPLICATION & ACTION: Shawn Achor writes that, “neuroscientists have found that monks who spend years meditating actually grow their left prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain most responsible for being happy.”

(3, pg. 51) To change one’s behavior and identity, to be fixed in a life of Christ takes making an intentional choice every day to see and act from Christ’s point of view. Prayer and meditation can help this “decision making” and help us persevere.

Find five minutes just three times a day, morning, midday and evening and be silent. Not prayer with music or while driving, but silent time, breathing in and out, allowing the mind to rest, and finding the contentment to preserver. Consider finding a scripture that offers you strength. Try repeating this prayer “I am beloved by God. My life and hope are in Christ. This is the center of all I am.”

SERVE: In this week’s session, you discussed what opportunities there are at St. Luke’s to turn our focus from negative to positive. Working together as a group to make someone else’s life less burdensome is one way to do that. Take a few minutes to settle on a date and activity for your service project.

CLOSING PRAYER: Gracious and Holy God. Thank you for calling us your beloved. May our lives be in You. May our hope be in Christ. May you be our center throughout this week ahead, that we might prayerfully and faithfully persevere and cultivate your happiness. Amen.

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Session 4

“The Element of Humility” September 27 – October 3 Philippians 2:1-11

WORSHIP: Opening Prayer: Awesome Father, You have given us so much and so often our response to those blessings is pride. As we explore Paul’s call to be humble with each other and most importantly before you, remind us of the happiness that is found in serving you. Guide us throughout this time that we can grow closer to you and to each other. Lord, we are not worthy to serve you, and you call us anyway. Thank you, Amen.

CONNECT: Welcome and Check-in: For us to understand humility we need to understand that following Jesus means following him as a servant who humbles himself -- or we’ll never really understand Jesus. In what ways can you still have fun but also show humility?

Activity: Choose two or three people to be the players of the game. Place the pedometer onto the headband and place the headband around your head. For this game you will be competing against the members of your group to see who can get the highest number in a minute. You will need to shake your head as fast as you can to get your number as high as you can. The member with the highest number wins.

If you do not feel comfortable shaking your head as fast as you can, feel free to hold the pedometer in your hand or attach to your shoe. This way you can shake your hand or foot as fast as you can to get the highest number.

GROW: Watch Video: Introduction to Session 4 with Pastor David Read Together: Philippians 2:1-11 What do you hear happening in these verses? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ What does it mean to you to complete Paul’s joy? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ Pastor David mentioned in the introduction video that these verses in Philippians are some of the most widely known verses in scripture. We read this scripture every year, particularly on Palm Sunday to reveal the mind of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Before Paul explains what the mind of Christ is focused on, he implores his church to have the same mind and heart as one another, and of Christ.

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What do you think Paul means by this? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ Just as telling them to stand firm, living a life worthy of the gospel was found in last week’s scripture, now Paul calls the church to likeness and unity of the mind and spirit of Christ. This will fulfill Paul’s joy.

For Paul, his role as an apostle was not only that people might see Christ in all he does, but that Christ might be seen through his churches as well. His joy was complete when there was not only unity and harmony among his congregations, but a sense they were working toward the same purpose, which was to imitate Christ in all they did.

When have you been a part of a unified effort? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ How do you think you can be a part of the Church’s ministry? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ Wrapped up in the church’s cohesiveness with one another, and the call to emulate the mind of Christ which Paul then speaks to with great eloquence, is one word: humility. Their actions have to come from an attitude – the same humble attitude and mindset which was in Christ Jesus.

Humility was not seen as a virtue during the time of Paul’s writing. Humility was considered to be a part of being a servant, not something people strived for in the Greek world. However, Paul calls for the people to be humble toward one another and ultimately, as is revealed in verse 8, humbled toward God. Being humble toward another is to live in a way that respects another, regarding another as a person of significance.

Name someone in your life you consider to be humble. ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ In what areas of your life do you think you can be more humble? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ How might humility be an important part of the unified effort of the church? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 18

Paul moves on to write the famous Christological hymn which describes the humble servant mindset of Jesus. Christ who though being in God, took the form of a slave came to redeem the world. In his humility, in his obedience and self-emptying which glorified God, Christ is exalted

by God. Craddock says “The central event in the drama of salvation is an act of humble service.”

(2, 42) Christ acted on our behalf, with no promise of gain or reward. This humble way of relating to God and toward others serves as a way to live in the fullness of Christian community.

Tradition Discussion: How does humility become an element of happiness? John Wesley believed we were made for happiness. He believed there was one God, and one religion, and one happiness. This one happiness and true religion is the love of God and the love of neighbor. He believed a right heart toward God implied happiness as well as holiness. Holiness is understood in the commandment to love God and love others. Loving others has everything to do with regarding others as the child of God they are claimed to be, just like one-self.

How do you think loving others is holy? What element of humility does it take to love others? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ When was the last time you found it hard to love others? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ One of the elements of happiness is being in a community where we humble ourselves to understand we are each important and need one another. One of the greatest advantages to maintaining a positive outlook when facing difficult times is to hold on to the community around us. So often we end up turning inward when negativity surrounds us. We build up a wall of independence and say we can handle whatever comes our way on our own. However, this is exactly when we need others the most, when we need the unifying nature of the community Paul calls for in this scripture.

Reason/Experience Discussion: The Harvard Men Study, one of the longest running psychological tests of all time, has followed 268 men from 1930 until present day. They have used this research to discover what characterizes the happiest and fullest of lives. George Vaillant has directed this study and told the Atlantic Monthly in 2009 that “he could sum up the findings in one word: “love – full stop”… there are seventy years of evidence that our relationships with other people matter, and matter more than anything else in all the world.” (3, pg 163) Studies have proven this fact to be true in terms of emotional and physical stability as well.

From surviving heart attacks, to breast cancer, to overcoming high blood pressure, smoking and obesity, social support doubled and even tripled rates of survival. One doctor wrote “When launching a life raft, the prudent survivalist will not toss food overboard while retaining the deck furniture. If somebody must jettison a part of life, time with a mate should be last on the list: he needs that connection to live. When set adrift, it seems, those of us who hold onto our raftmates, not just our rafts, are the ones who will stay afloat.”

To have the kind of social connections that lead to thriving, humility must be the basis of our relationship with one another. Paul writes “make my joy complete by being like-minded… do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.”

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LIFE APPLICATION & ACTION: One of the positive infusions we can do to help us thrive in humility is to commit intentional and conscious acts of kindness. Leading research has found that individuals who complete five acts of kindness over a day feel happier and content longer then others. Choose one day during the week to commit five acts of kindness to those you know and those who are strangers.

SERVE: St. Luke’s offers numerous opportunities throughout the year to engage in even more random acts of kindness. To get more information about these events email social@st.lukes.org.

CLOSING PRAYER: Gracious and Holy God thank you for this group and this time we have had together; time of sharing, learning and growing. May we grow in your humility, grace and love. May we grow to know your happiness. Amen.

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Session 5

“The Element of Habits” Philippians 2:12-18

October 4 - 10

WORSHIP: Opening Prayer: Precious Lord, thank you for the sunlight, thank you for the trees, thank you for all the things big and small you have provided that we neglect to thank you for on a regular basis. We make a habit of assessing the bad things in our lives--the pain, the sorrow, the brokenness; help us to create the spiritual habit of remembering the positives in our lives--love, friendship, and your unending grace. Be with us in this time as we fellowship together and draw nearer to you. In your name we pray, Amen.

CONNECT: Welcome and Check-in: Habits are a daily part of life; they can help us complete a particular task. However, Christ calls us out of the comfort of our own habits to create a Christ centered habit. In this interactive activity you are asked to accomplish something without the normal patterns to which we are accustomed. Can you break out of your pattern of habits to see another way?

Activity: Take the eight iron nuts and line them up on the table in a row making sure the hole is upright and not flat on the table. The objective of this game is to get all eight iron nuts onto a chopstick. The trick is that you cannot use your hands at all to accomplish this task. You will only have one minute in order to accomplish this task. Have each member of your group try this activity until you have completed this task.

GROW: Watch Video: Introduction to Session 5 with Pastor Jenn Read Together: Philippians 2:12-18 Scripture Discussion: What do you think it means to carry out your own salvation? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ Paul begins verses 12 -18 with an active word “therefore.” He has summed up the behavior of his congregation which will make his joy complete: living a life worthy of the gospel, having unity of mind and purpose, and having the mind that was in Christ. Therefore, it’s time to outline the actions of such a life. Here are the behaviors, the habits of a person whose identity is in Christ, and who is living in the full happiness of God. Paul, in essense, is saying you understand with your head and heart, now do it – “continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.”

This call to obedience is rooted in the elements of humility and perseverance in living as Christ exemplified.

But what does such a life actually look like? Paul never gives a precise guideline or checklist, Christianity is not about a particular set of rules. So how do we work out what this means in our daily life?

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How can we continue to stand firm, rooted in the hope of Christ, which is our happiness, in order to allow the working out our salvation in our daily actions? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ Tradition Discussion: Habit is a word that either brings positive or negative thoughts into our head. Habits can be things, which bring unhealthy unrest and burden into our lives, or habits can allow positive, healthy energy to push us toward our most fulfilled and purposeful selves. Jesus shared habits which would remind us of who we are and our purpose. The habit of breaking bread at Christ’s table, and the habit of coming to the water and claiming baptism are the two most vivid commands he gave for his disciples to “do likewise.”

The definition of a habit is “an acquired behavior pattern regularly followed until it has become almost involuntary.” Methodism received its name from the methodical habits of the Wesleys and their friends at Oxford. Habits of prayer times, service to the poor and to one another, habits of conversations of accountability fixed the minds of the early Methodists on the saving grace and love of Jesus Christ. The habits centered their lives on growing in personal and social holiness – the way to a right heart with God. Wesley described Christianity as a “social religion.” What we profess is revealed in how we act, and the habits of our life reflect the values of our heart.

What are some of your habits? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ What are some habits you would like to develop? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ William James, the pioneer of psychology a century ago said “humans are biologically prone to habit, and it is because we are ‘mere bundles of habits’ that we are able to automatically perform many of our daily tasks.” (3, pg 138) He believed that while we may know what to do correctly for our betterment, action developed into habits had to be paramount. “If we want to create lasting change, we should ‘make our nervous system our ally instead of our enemy.’ He prescribed ‘daily strokes of effort’ explaining that a tendency toward action becomes ‘ingrained in us in proportion to the uninterrupted frequency with which the actions actually occur and the brain ‘grows’ to their use.’” (3, pg 139) How might you develop a new habit? How hard is it to achieve a habit? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ A series of habits rooted in the love of Christ can change our brains and conduct our behavior in ways that not only change our outlook, but also work out our faith to deepen our relationship with God? Daily Bible reading, study, accountability and service are habits that could change our outlook on life. How could these habits help us witness to others? Meditation and prayer was the first habit, but what about learning habits that reframe our daily world view?

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LIFE APPLICATION & ACTION: Each of the Life Application & Actions listed in previous weeks can develop into habits to infuse our day and week with positive influences. A habit changes the lens with which we view our life.

Each night this week spend those five minutes in prayer and add another five minutes. During the extra five minutes, in a journal, review your day and look for at least one (hopefully there will be more) event or moment in which the joy of the Lord was present, when you experienced true happiness. Maybe it’s a moment with someone you love, or offering an act of kindness to a stranger. Maybe it was a difficult moment in which you saw opportunity for growth or something positive. Record the experience and then say your centering prayer.

SERVE: One of our long-term goals as a congregation is for our members to develop a habit of service.

As you ponder positivity and strive to make that a habit, reflect on your actions as well. Do you have a habit of service in your life? Is this something you would like to develop? Have you committed to participating in the group service project? There are ideas in the back of this book or you can go online to www.st.lukes.org/serve for ideas on how you might develop a habit of service on or off campus. You may also find something on your own through another organization.

CLOSING PRAYER: Gracious and Loving God, thank you for our time together. May we all grow to develop habits that draw us closer to You, your will, your love and your happiness. Amen.

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Session 6

“The Element of Passion” Philippians 3:12-21

October 11 – 17

WORSHIP: Opening Prayer: Almighty and Loving God, give us the strength and trust to have open hearts and minds today as we listen, share and discuss. May we grow as a community and friends and may we grow in our passion and faith in you. Amen.

CONNECT: Welcome and Group Check-in: There is an old saying that goes, “Winners never quit, and quitters never win.” If we are talking about a person living their life for Jesus Christ, it is absolutely true. We can’t talk about what we did last year, instead we must ask ourselves, “What am I doing this year?” We cannot rest on the growth we experienced in the past, but we should ask ourselves, “How much am I growing now?” In this interactive game you are to guess a word that only your partners can see, by asking a yes or no question. We gain knowledge to answers in our future through our experiences (or in the case) questions of the past.

Activity: First have everyone take a note card and write a word (person, place, or thing) on one side of the card that describes something they are passionate about. Trade cards with members in your group without them seeing the word. Second, have people partner up with someone they don’t know very well. Place the card to your forehead with the word facing toward your partner. Every member of your group will have one minute to try and guess the word that is on their card by asking yes or no questions. Try to see how many people in your group can guess their word correctly.

GROW: Watch Video: Introduction to Session 6 with Pastor Corey Read Together: Philippians 3:12-21 (CEB) Scripture Discussion: In the beginning of the series, happiness was connected with understanding one’s purpose.

Purpose and passion are things people strive for but often find themselves putting aside or pushing into the future, waiting for the right time, when they’ve reached a certain success level, or when everything has fallen into place. If happiness is dependent on first reaching these external markers, one will never find happiness or purpose, because the marker is always moving. As we have learned there is never “enough”; success is a moving target, and the right time becomes redefined by reality again and again.

But our passion and purpose were directly connected with our life in Christ. What does it look like to live all out in our passion, seeking happiness in God and God’s meaning for our life first and foremost? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________

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Paul puts his passion on the line with the congregation at Philippi. In the familiar verses of 12-21, he imagines himself as a runner in a race, constantly reaching and striving for what is ahead, the prize God offers in Christ Jesus.

What goals do you have in life? What race are you running and who is the prize for? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ How are they connected to your faith? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ Paul gives everything he is and everything he has to reach the goal of being raised with Christ, in this life and the next. Paul calls the church to join him in such a goal. Many pastors would be afraid to put up such a challenge, for fear the congregation would decide to run to the leaders from other sects that are preaching against Paul. Paul will not be deterred however, calling for his congregation to grow in their maturity and be wholeheartedly devoted to God, striving for the prize, which lies ahead.

Tradition Discussion: John Wesley was known as more determined than passionate but this famous quote shows a man passionate about his mission and ministry. “Catch on fire and others will love to come watch you burn.” This “catch on fire” means become passionate and authentic about your life and faith.

What are you passionate about? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ What about your faith/relationship with God gets you excited? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ Reason/Experience Discussion: One of the elements of happiness is to live into, or spend time in, your passion. Passion fuels a sense of purpose in our lives, filling us with an excitement and contentment, because at some point we become engrossed in something that matters. What matters most to you? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ How does your faith fit in to what matters most to you? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 25

A study has been done to catalogue 24 cross cultural character strengths that contribute to human flourishing. Over 500 individuals were surveyed regarding their top five strengths.

Respondents were then asked to spend time working at their strengths and using them in new ways each day for a week. Results showed this group was significantly happier then the control group not only after the experiment, but up to a full six months later. (3, pg. 55) CONCLUDING THOUGHTS Paul pushed on toward the prize no matter what he was facing – because he knew the power of joy and happiness God had brought to his life through his salvation and what was waiting for him at the end of this race. Nothing would hold him back from running the race with everything he had, despite imprisonment, criticism, or negativity. He was passionate about the power of resurrection for him and for all of God’s people and he wanted the witness of the church to bear that passion. This passion was not about things of this world, but eternal gains of love, grace, and resurrection.

John Wesley in sermon 77 entitled “Spiritual Worship” writes Permit me to recite my own experience, in confirmation of this: -- I distinctly remember, that, even in my childhood, even when I was at school, I have often said, “They say the life of a schoolboy is the happiest in the world; but I am sure I am not happy; for I am not content, and so cannot be happy.” When I had lived a few years longer, being in the vigour of youth, a stranger to pain and sickness, and particularly to lowness of spirits; (which I do not remember to have felt one quarter of an hour since I was born) having plenty of all things, in the midst of sensible and amiable friends who loved me, and I loved them; and being in the way of life which, of all others, suited my inclinations; still I was not happy. I wondered why I was not, and could not imagine what the reason was. The reason certainly was, I did not know God; the Source of present as well as eternal happiness. What is a clear proof that I was not then happy is, that, upon the coolest reflection, I knew not one week which I would have thought it worth while to have lived over again; taking it with every inward and outward sensation, without any variation at all.

True happiness is found in knowing and being in relationship with God, but also living into the purpose and passion we were created for. How can we find ways that our work and our busyness serve the purpose of creating resources and time for our passion to push us toward the prize?

LIFE APPLICATION & ACTION: Spend time exercising your strengths. Your spiritual gifts, your strengths and talents and your passion all align in some way to help you run the race God has set before you. You may not have connected all the dots yet, but even the gift of baking and cooking can align with the passion you have to make a difference in the world. But sometimes life and busyness in routine things cloud our schedule so much we do not have time to find joy in our strengths. Find time during these next weeks to exercise your strength, do something you love. Maybe it’s just carving out an hour or two but spend time exploring what you love and then spend time journaling about making the connection between this strength and your race. Don’t know what your spiritual gifts are? Take some time to go online and take the spiritual gifts test at st.lukes.org/spiritualgifts.

SERVE: Continue to reflect on your spiritual gifts, strengths and passions. How might you use the gifts God has given you to bless others? Take the first step toward sharing your gifts by emailing serve@st.lukes.org or by calling 407.876.4991 ext.*258 to see how you can serve on campus or in the community.

CLOSING PRAYER: Gracious and Loving God, thank you for this time and this group. May our Passion in and for you continue to grow. May your passion and blessing be with us as we go our separate ways and bring us back together safely next week. Amen.

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Session 7 “The Element of Gratitude”

Philippians 4:1-9

October 18 – 24

WORSHIP: Opening Prayer: Gracious and Holy God. May your gracious and faithful spirit be with us as we listen and share. May we grow throughout this time as a community of faithful friends, as gracious members of our community, and faithful disciples of Christ. Amen.

CONNECT: Welcome and Check-in: Remember what is best for us is embodied in Jesus Christ. If you link yourself with Christ, you are joined with the highest moral power in the universe. He is the embodiment of everything Paul has commanded us to do. It’s all in Jesus. All virtue, all beauty, all holiness, all truth, all that is good and right is found in Christ. While participating in today’s activity, consider how you can show your gratitude for those who bring joy and happiness to your day.

Activity: Take all eight iron nuts out and place them on the table. The objective of this game is to stack all eight iron nuts on top of each other in under a minute. You will only be allowed stack them using a chopstick. No hands. Have each member of your team attempt this activity until it is complete.

GROW: Watch Video: Introduction to Session 7 with Pastor Jad Read Together: Philippians 4:1-9 Scripture Discussion: What do you think is happening in these nine verses? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ You probably know verse seven, how is it different in the fuller context of chapter four? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ What would you say is the theme or mood of this section of Philippians? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________

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Paul reiterates the theme of the entire letter as he begins to write his conclusion. Rejoice in the Lord. Give thanks and don’t be anxious. Christ is always near to us and no matter what we face, be content and have well being because you are not alone. Dwell on the positive in life, the beautiful, the things which come from God’s love and grace all around us. Fix your mind and heart on these things and do not fear. Do not let your life be overwhelmed with all that is wrong around you, but look up, look and see your light and stronghold.

Fred Craddock writes, “The church should not be victimized by its problems within and without.

The joy and forbearance, which constitute part of the church’s witness to the world, are genuinely grounded in the church’s faith.” (2, 71) This is not some “Pollyanna, put-a-smile-onand-fake it” joy Paul calls for in his farewell address. This is a joy and happiness, which is rooted fundamentally in the love and salvation of God in Christ Jesus, and lived out mind, body, and soul.

How has your understanding of joy and happiness changed since beginning this study? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ Tradition Discussion: John Wesley says gratitude is a mark of a Methodist and therefore a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Following in tradition of Paul and the earliest Christians, Wesley calls for those who call themselves Methodist to be people of gratitude and thanksgiving to God. What are you grateful for? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ Why do you think it is hard to be grateful in difficult times? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ In 1728 William Law, a teacher and author wrote A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life. John Wesley credited this book with deepening his own faith. In the book, Law writes a great deal about the link between happiness and gratitude.

If anyone would tell you the shortest, surest way to all happiness and all perfection, they must tell you to make a rule to yourself to thank and praise God in everything that happens to you. It is certain that whatever seeming calamity happens to you, if you thank and praise God [in] it, you turn it into a blessing. If you could work miracles, therefore, you could not do more for yourself than by this thankful spirit. It heals and turns all that it touches into happiness…The spirit of murmur and discontent will be unable to enter into the heart that is so often employed in singing the praises of God (p. 101; edited for gender neutral language)

What do you think it would take for you to “make a rule to yourself to thank and praise God in everything that happens to you?” ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ 28

Reason/Experience Discussion: The brain is constantly creating new maps and new strategies for solving problems, dealing with pain or loss, and navigating change in our lives. Research has shown that when the brain faces crisis or adversity, there are three mental paths the brain can choose. One path keeps you circling around where you currently are because the experience is so negative that it cannot change. Another leads you toward more negative consequences. Finally the third path can lead to a place where failure or adversity makes you stronger and more able to deal with difficulties than before. (3, 102) Studies with those suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder have shown that when a person is able to find ways to take the third mental path it actually leads to what researches call “Post – Traumatic Growth.” The growth has been shown to “increase one’s spirituality, compassion for others, openness and over all life satisfaction. After trauma people also reported enhanced personal strength and self-confidence, as well as a heightened appreciation for, and a greater intimacy in their social relationship.” (3, pg 104) How does the discipline of gratitude help our brains to find the “third mental path” in difficult times? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ CONCLUDING THOUGHTS: Paul was inviting his people to take the third mental path. To find a way to keep their minds on things that were positive, opportunities to flourish in the midst of broken or difficult places.

He was inviting them into the habit of meditating and praying on that which is beautiful and admirable, loving and true in a world which might not always reflect such things. But one of the strongest calls Paul makes is inviting his people to rejoice in the Lord and give thanks. Paul called us to offer up prayers of thanksgiving and gratitude because no matter what, because the Lord is near.

Gratitude is one of the elements of happiness that keeps us grounded, and helps us concentrate on God’s goodness around us. Gratitude is the third mental path, which leads to growth and joy, regardless of circumstances or situation.

LIFE APPLICATION & ACTION: Begin a new habit that can change your outlook. In your journal, during one of your prayer times (which is probably growing in its time) after you take your scan of what is good in your life, write down three things you are grateful for in this day. Don’t repeat the same things each day.

Try to dig deeper than repeating gratitude of things day-to-day, look around you more detailed.

Be grateful for deep things as well as simple things. Look into those difficult places and find something to give thanks to God about in the midst of it and open a window for opportunity.

SERVE: Take a few minutes before the session ends to reflect on your group service project. What did you learn about our community? What did you learn about yourself? Have you discovered your passion? Did you experience something that would inspire a habit of service?

CLOSING PRAYER: Gracious and loving God. Thank you for the blessing of this time, this group and discussion. May we continue to grow in your spirit of gratitude that our lives might glorify you and further your work of grace and love. Amen 29

Session 8

“The Element of Generosity” Philippians 4:10-14

October 25 – 31

WORSHIP: Opening Prayer: Eternal and loving God, you are our creator, savior and sustainer. Throughout time you have generously poured out your grace and love to us. May we today grow in your generous spirit as we listen and share. Amen.

CONNECT: Welcome and Group Check-in: The nature of true Christian sympathy is not only to feel concern for our friends in their troubles, but to give generously of ourselves in order to help them. In today’s activity instead of eating the candy, exercise your generous spirit by participating in this fun game with those in your group.

Activity: Place the bag of skittles into the small bowl in front of the participant. Place three to five other cups at the end of the table. The objective of this game is to get all of the different colored skittles into separate cups. You may only use one hand and take out one skittle at a time. You have one minute to complete this task. Have each group member attempt the activity until it is complete.

GROW: Watch Video: Introduction to Session 8 with Pastor David Read Together: Philippians 4:10-14 (CEB) Scripture Discussion: What do you see happening in these four verses? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ What do you notice about this text? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ Paul’s final words are a thank you note to the church. He writes about the generosity the church has shown him. We aren’t sure if he has given a direct gift of some means to him, or if it’s their general support of his ministry and the ministry of those who lead in his place. Whatever the manner of generosity, they have shown exactly what Paul has called them to show – a Christ like attitude, grateful hearts, and passion about their witness.

How have you seen generosity lived out recently? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ 30

The people of Philippi have proven their personal relationship with Paul and lived with unity of mind and care for one another. Paul helps make the connection for the congregation that the joy they are called to live in has a direct correlation to their relationship with others. Gratitude begets generosity.

How is a relationship with Christ connected to generosity with others? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ So often we find ourselves lacking happiness and joy because we have divested from our relationships and take our faith to be a private matter. We find ourselves without the community that helps us grow and feel supported when crisis happens. Our lives as Christians are meant to be lived out through our relationships and our behavior toward others. We experience the greatest happiness when we truly allow faith to become active in the generosity we extend toward others.

Tradition Discussion: It is documented that John Wesley gave more that 90% of his income away. Throughout his life he insisted on living on what was then a basic tenured professor’s salary. While he made millions in today’s dollars through book sales he gave it all away. Generosity, a giving spirit, has always been an aspect of the Wesleyan tradition.

Who in your life has modeled generosity? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ How are you generous? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ Where in your life do you believe that you could become more generous? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ Reason/Experience Discussion: Countless studies have shown that giving reduces stress and anxiety and brings about a degree of joy or happiness. Being generous enlarges our world and our heart so when we give and give generously we grow in our perspective of the world and we grow in our compassion and empathy.

What is your experience with giving and generosity? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________

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How do you typically feel when you have been generous? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ How can you be more generous? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ CONCLUDING THOUGHTS: Generosity has a way of opening ourselves up to each of the elements of happiness we have talked about in the previous weeks. When we give sacrificially to another person, to God, to ministry, we open our hearts to each of the elements of joy. We find ways to stand firm and persevere, not letting our own circumstances have all our energy and thoughts. We humble ourselves to view another as Christ sees them, serving them and picking up our eyes from our own paths. We begin to work out of our passions and strengths, becoming more generous with our time, resources and heart because we realize the impact it could have in our witness to God’s love in our life.

Generosity is also the result of a life devoted to personal and social holiness.

LIFE APPLICATION & ACTION: Spend your time and money, but not on yourself. Use your new prayer time to pray for others and thank God for them. Consider journaling about how you could use your strengths and passions to give generously to those around you.

SERVE: Just like we need to budget our money we also need to budget our time. As you consider ways to be generous have you left enough margin in your calendar to be generous with your time and your money?

CLOSING PRAYER: Gracious and Holy God you generously give your creativity, freedom, grace, mercy and love. May we continue to grow in your spirit, grow in your love, grow in your generosity, and grow in your grace as we grow in your happiness. Amen.

REFERENCES: 1. Hooker, Morna. “Philippians.” New Interpreter’s Bible Volume XI: Second Corinthians to Philemon.

Abingdon Press. 2000. 479 – 549. Print.

2. Craddock, Fred. Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching & Preaching. Westminster John Knox Press, 2011. Print.

3. Achor, Shawn. The Happiness Advantage. Crown Business, 2010. Print.

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROUPS TO SERVE TOGETHER IN THE COMMUNITY • Bags of Grace: In November, St. Luke’s will begin collecting food items to help families that depend on the free or reduced school lunch program to have enough food over the winter school break. Individuals or groups can donate food or offer to help coordinate the food drive.

• Circles®: Circles is the family stabilization component of St. Luke’s Community Transformation Initiative in East Winter Garden. The mission of Circles is to provide choices in the form of tangible and intangible resources to empower and support families to move out of poverty. Serve as a group to provide a meal or baked goods for Circles meetings.

• Clean the World: This organization collects discarded soaps and hygiene products from local hotels, sanitizes them and re-distributes them to impoverished people, preventing millions of hygiene-related deaths each year. Individuals or groups can volunteer for a two-hour shift sorting the discarded soaps and bottles to be repurposed. Visit https://cleantheworld.org/get-involved/ become-a-volunteer/ to learn more.

• Coalition for the Homeless: Volunteers serve the evening meal on the third Saturday of each month. Individuals or groups may help to bake, cook or serve the meal at the Coalition. Fall 2015 dates are September 19, October 17, and November 21.

• Community Food and Outreach: Help those in need with hunger relief, crisis care, education and employment training. Individuals or groups can host a food drive or help stock the Cost Share Grocery’s shelves, sort clothing or donated goods. http://communityfoodoutreach.org/volunteer/ • East Winter Garden Community Garden: Use your green thumb or learn new gardening skills at the Community Garden. Volunteer in the garden or with administrative duties.

• Family Promise: St. Luke’s converts classrooms into bedrooms and the Fellowship Hall into a gathering area to keep families together in the face of homelessness. Volunteer to help provide a meal, provide food staples or help with set up or take down. Sign up to be evening or overnight hosts. Sign up now for the week of October 18 through October 25 on carecalendar.org. Use calendar ID: 5382 and security code 1111 to log in.

• Habitat for Humanity: St. Luke’s partners with West Orange Habitat for Humanity. Individuals or groups can assist the construction team or provide lunch. Work will be done on Wednesdays and Saturdays in September. For schedule updates call the Habitat hotline at 407.876.4991 ext.*344.

• Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida: The food bank collects and distributes food to more than 550 nonprofit partner agencies in six counties. Individuals or groups can host a food drive or volunteer at their Mercy Drive location. Visit foodbankcentralflorida.org for details.

• United Methodist Microfinance: For as little as $25, individuals or groups can help a low-income individual in Malawi or Mexico start a small business and change families’ lives.

For details on how to sign up for service opportunities listed in this booklet or to learn more about ways to serve through St. Luke’s email serve@st.lukes.org or call 407.876.4991 ext.*239.

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INDIVIDUAL OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP YOU DEVELOP A HABIT OF SERVING • ArtWorks: Encourages children in difficult situations to recognize their creative talents and see themselves as gifts from God. Help to teach or assist with classes throughout Central Florida, an evening weekly outreach in East Winter Garden, work behind the scenes, or offer field trip opportunities.

• Circles: We are constantly looking for Allies who will walk alongside Circle Leaders (persons striving to cross the poverty line) in our next Circles class. Allies offer their personal friendship and life and work expertise to help connect low-income families to more opportunities. Allies need to be available at least two Tuesdays a month from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for a minimum six-month commitment.

• Compassion Child Sponsorship: St. Luke’s partners with Compassion International to sponsor children who live in extreme poverty in Ethiopia. For $38/month you can help provide education, food, health care and connection with a caring church community.

• Educational Impact: St. Luke’s partners with two Title One elementary schools, Mollie Ray and Pineloch. Serve as a teacher’s assistant, math or reading coach, teach chess or another skill, or help at special events.

• Food Pickup: St. Luke’s volunteers help feed the hungry by transporting donated food from Health Central Hospital, Fresh Market, and Publix to West Orange Daily Bread and other food banks. Offer to help transport the food or help coordinate drivers.

• Global Fair Trade Market: Craft items and other goods made in developing countries and purchased through organizations that direct the proceeds of the sale to the craft person or producer.

• Jobs Partnership: This faith-based nonprofit is committed to transforming lives of the chronically underemployed by developing the skills they need to get ahead in building a career. Jobs Partnership offers a 12-week Life and Work program that equips participants with skills for life and the workplace.

• Shalom Pen Pal Club: Offer a compassionate, caring, encouraging voice through written letters to inmates at the 33rd St. Jail.

• Shalom Reading: Trained volunteers teach inmates at the 33rd St. Jail reading, literacy and other skills.

• Wish Tree: Each year, St. Luke’s collects Christmas gifts to be given to children in need through Orange County Social Workers. Additionally, gifts will be collected to be donated to the Christmas Shop in East Winter Garden where parents may shop at reduced prices for their children. Money collected will go back to the community.

For details on how to sign up for service opportunities listed in this booklet or to learn more about ways to serve through St. Luke’s email serve@st.lukes.org or call 407.876.4991 ext.*239.

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS TO SERVE AT ST. LUKE’S WORSHIP: Get involved by emailing worship@st.lukes.org or call 407.876.4991 ext. *253.

• Worship: Assist with set up, tech, planning and decor, serving communion, or serve as an usher.

• Music Ministries: Children can get involved in the WeeSingers (ages 3-4) or the Children’s Choir (grades K-5). Opportunities for adults include the Sanctuary Choir, Gospel Choir, Handbell Choir, Contemporary Worship Praise Team, and St. Luke’s Dance Ensemble.

CONNECT: Get connected by contacting connect@st.lukes.org or call 407.876.4991 ext. *262.

• Hearts to Hands: Knit prayer shawls, baby blankets, caps for newborns and caps for those in the military.

• In-Home Care: Short-term support and care to individuals and families at times of crisis by providing transportation and meals.

• Military Service Support: Provide support for those from our congregation who are in the military or family members. Offer prayers, notes of encouragement, and care packages.

• Open Doors: Advocates full participation in worship and programs to persons with special needs, and is dedicated to making the church campus programs open and easily accessible to all.

• Prayer Ministry: Provide opportunities for persons to experience various forms of prayer, including prayer labyrinth, morning prayer group, Sunday Prayer Chapel Intercessors.

• Connection Points: Greet at the Connection Points in the Welcome Hall, welcome guests, provide information, and distribute welcome packets to first time visitors.

• Stephen Ministry: One-on-one listening relationship for persons with special problems or ongoing needs. Stephen Ministers are also trained to make hospital calls.

• St. Luke’s Sports: Serve as a coach, referee, team parent, or with game day set up or clean up.

GROW: The Grow Team is growing! Contact grow@st.lukes.org or 407.876.4991 ext. *285.

• Children’s Ministries: Provide spiritual development for children birth through grade 5 and for those with special needs. Assist with Sunday or weekday programming, Vacation Bible School, events and camps. Help is needed with project bags and organizing and distributing curriculum.

Lend a hand in the childcare nursery by reading, playing, holding, and rocking little ones.

• Youth Ministries: Volunteer to help with Sunday or weekday programming with St. Luke’s youth by leading small group studies, providing hospitality, collecting attendance, or assisting with special events on and off campus.

• Adult Ministries: Persons who are willing to disciple to others on their journey of discipleship through short and long-term group studies are needed. Provide opportunities for growth through Bible study, prayer, and spiritual disciplines while developing meaningful relationships.

SERVE: Contact serve@st.lukes.org or call 407.876.4991 ext. *239 for information on how to serve!

• Blood Drives: Central Florida Blood Services comes to St. Luke’s several times during the year.

• Global Fair Trade Market: Help unpack and inventory items or volunteer on the day of the sale.

• United Methodist Women: This community of women develops and expands concepts of missions through participation in the global ministries of the church. Participate in a committee or women’s circle, help with the rummage sale or annual bazaar.

COMMIT: Contact Kelly Smith at ksmith@st.lukes.org or 407.876.4991 ext. *223.

• Marketing and Communications: Run, fold and cut copies, label and sort materials for mailing, place posters and brochures around campus , photograph events, and more.

• Information Technology: Share your knowledge and assist with the website and database.

• Financial Ministry: Count the Sunday offering and weekly miscellaneous funds.

• Membership: Assist with maintaining the church database by keeping the contact information and members’ status up to date and entering the worship attendance.

• Hospitality: Reflect our core value of hospitality at the reception desk, at special events and conferences, or as part of the coffee and donut team in the Welcome Hall on Sundays.

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4851 Apopka-Vineland Road Orlando, Florida 32819 407.876.4991 www.st.lukes.org